Mexico Forecasting Low Sargassum Levels through February

Visitors heading to Mexico this month can expect some more pristine beaches this month.

According to the latest report from the Oceanographic Institute of the Gulf and the Caribbean Sea, of Semar, which tracks sargassum levels at beaches in the Mexican Caribbean region, there will be a “very low” presence of sargassum in the region for February.

“The alert level for the estimation of landfalls in the Mexican Caribbean is located in category 2, which corresponds to the denomination of ‘Very Low,’” the agency said in its report. “The presence of sargassum is sporadic, with free access to the surf zone being possible, without observing cumulus clouds or continuous lines of sargassum on the beaches.”

The worst months for sargassum are typically May to October, when currents in the Caribbean Sea carry it from the Gulf of Mexico to other areas, including the shores of Cancun.

Last year, some top Playa del Carmen Beach had to stay closed for sargassum cleanup, including Playa El Recoddo. That was not the first time El Recodo has faced issues because of the overwhelming amount of sargassum on its beachfront—similar issues have come every spring and summer for the last few years, including major issues in 2019 and 2021.